Ribbon-controlling mechanism.



B. E. BROWN.

RIBBON CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1909. 1,064,703. Patented June 17, 1913.

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B. E. BROWN. RIBBON CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

APPLIGATION FILED MALE, 1909.

1,064,703. Patented June 17, 1913.

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UNITED b TATEb PATENT OFFEQE.

BYRON E. BROWN, OF POPLAR BLUFF, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOB 'lO DALTON ADDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

RIBBON-CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

memos.

Application filed March 8, 1909.

T 0 aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BYRON E. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Poplar Bluff, Missouri, have invented a new and useful RibbonControlling Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to typewriting and recording machines, and more particularly to the mechanism for controlling the ribbon from which the records are produced.

The object of this invention is to produce mechanism whereby the ribbon supporting devices in machines of the character referred to will be automatically moved during oper ation of the machine and preferably after each operation, to shift or move the ribbon effectively to bring the greater portion thereof .into and across the recording field.

The object and function of this invention may be exemplified by reference to the application of Hubert Hopkins, Serial No. 140,300, filed January 2 1903, for an adding and recording machine. In the type of machine disclosed by that application the ribbon is moved transversely across the machine adjacent to the printing surface of the platen, being wound from spool to spool as is usual in various kinds of typewriters. At each recording operation the ribbon is moved to and from the printing line or field and moves the same at all operations, so that the type strike substantially mid-way of the edges of the ribbon at all times, leaving the greater portion of the ribbon unused.

The present invention as adapted to that machine includes devices for moving the ribbon unequal distances to and from the printing line so that practically the entire ribbon will at different t nes be struck by the type.

In addition to the above advantage, the present invention also serves to prevent curling or fouling of the edges of the ribbon which results when the type strike only at a narrow strip mid-way of the edges.

In the accompanying drawings in which one form of the invention is illustrated, Figure 1 illustrates the invention. embodied in a machine substantially the same as that disclosed in the Hopkins application above referred to. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ribbon operating mechanism detached from the machine. Fig. 3 shows the idle or rest position of the ribbon moving device. Fig. 1 shows the position of the parts when Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1'7, 1913.

Serial No. 482,017.

the ribbon is supported across the printing line. Fig. 5 illustrates a different position of the parts during the return movement of the ribbon operating device. Fig. 6 is a view showing the support for the cam member whereby the ribbon guides are operated. Fig. 7 is a view of a portion of the ribbon showing the position at f'which the type strike thereon.

The Hopkins machine to which reference was above made, comprises suitable frames 1 and a base 2 between and upon which the entire mechanism is supported. A platen 3 is supported transversely above the machine and a ribbon 1 moves in front and parallel with the axis of the platen, being mounted on spools 5. The recording type 6 are movably carried upon carriers 7 which operate substantially vertically in front of the platen, being controlled by operating devices including a handle 8 mounted on a main shaft 9, connections 10 from said shaft whereby the type carriers will be automatically returned to idle position below the printing line of the platen after release of the handle. Hammers 11 are mounted on a rock shaft 12 below and in front of the platen and operate automatically to drive the type against the ribbon 1 interposed between the type and platen thereby to print upon the paper passing around the platen.

The ribbon passes through guide members 13 comprising a series of fingers through which the ribbon is interlaced and which are attached to the front ends of supporting members 13 mounted upon a rod or shaft 15 supported by the frames of the machine. In the Hopkins machine referred to in which these parts are found, said parts 13 are moved an equal distance at each operation so that the ribbon is carried upwardly in front of the platen across the printing line. It is in combination with these ribbon supports or guides that the present invention is adapted for use and which I will now describe.

The member A is mounted on a pin 16 passing through one of the frames and is held at a proper space from the frame by an interposed washer or hub 17. A spring 18 encircles the pin 10 between the head of the pin and the frame 1, thereby holding the member A in yielding frictional contact with the hub or washer 17. The member A is provided with a number of extensions a in the form of cams extending different distances from the axis of said member and on each of said extensions is a pin 19. The adjacent ribbon supporting arm 13 is provided with a stud 20 on which is a roller 21 which extends over the member A, and in idle position rests between the cam projections 64 on said member as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

An operating member 22 in the form of a hook has one arm resting upon one of the pins 19, and its opposite end pivoted to the arm 23 attached to the rock shaft 12, whereby at each operation of the handle 8 said member 22 will be drawn upwardly. A spring 24 connects a stud 25 and the operating member 22 with one of the frames of the machine, thereby imparting the proper tension to said operating member to prevent it from becoming accidentally displaced in rapid operation of the machine.

When the handle 8 is turned forwardly and the shaft 12 is rocked, the operating member 22 will be moved as indicated by arrows in Fig. 3. The end of the operating member will be drawn against the pin 19 on the cam extension in front thereof and thereby rotate the member A, moving said cam extension under the roller 21 which raises the ribbon supports and guides as required to position the ribbon across the printing line. The extent of movement in each instance is determined by the length of the cams a, which, as stated, are of various lengths so that when the longest of said cams is moved under the roller, the lower edge of the ribbon will be presented at the printing line in position to be struck by the type. The advanced position of the operating member, as shown in Fig. 4 leaves the cam in position to hold the ribbon across the printing line. Upon release of the handle 8 and return movement of the rock shaft 12, the operating member 22 is returned to its idle or rest position. A shoul der 26 on said operating member, during return movement thereof, engages one of the pins 19 below the axis of the member A, and thereby operates said member a distance sufficient to move the cam extension by which the ribbon supports were upheld from beneath the roller 21, whereupon said ribbon supports drop or are drawn downwardly to their idle position, which is that in which the printing line is visible and in which the roller 21 rests between two of the cam extensions on the member A. At the next operation of the handle 8 another of the cam extensions a. will be moved under the roller 21, which will raise the ribbon to a greater or less extent than it was raised by the next preceding cam. This operation is performed automatically at each movement of the operating handle and it will be observed that the ribbon israised to printing position before being struck by the type and is held stationary until after the type have rebounded therefrom, leaving the ribbon free for return movement. In this way a new lateral and vertical portion of the ribbon is presented for contact of the type at each operation.

I am aware that there may be modifications and alterations in the construction and arrangement of the parts embodying this invention without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I do not restrict myself to identical features of construction or arrangement, but

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patentis In a recording machine, the combina tion with a platen arranged to hold paper, recording type, a ribbon, a movable support holding the ribbon between the type and the platen, and a rock shaft controlling all of said type, of manual means for rocking said shaft in one direction, and means controlled by said shaft for actuating said ribbon support to move the ribbon varying distances at successive operations of said shaft by said manual means, substantially as specified.

2. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, a movable support for said ribbon, and a rock shaft controlling said recording mechanism, of an eccentric actuator for said support, and means actuated by said shaft for operating said actuator as an incident to the operation of said recording mechanism, substantially as specified.

8. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, a pivoted ribbon support, and means for operating said recording mechanism, of a plate a series of projections of different lengths on said plate, and means for operating said plate and projections to move said ribbon support as an incident to the operation of said recording mechanism, substantially as specified.

4:. In a. recording machine, a ribbon, a support for holding and moving said ribbon, a revoluble plate, an element on said support engaging said plate, pins on one side of said plate, an operating member ar ranged to engage said pins to rotate said plate, and means for actuating said operating member, substantially as specified.

5. In a recording machine, the combination with a platen, type-carriers, a ribbon, and a lever controlling all of said type-carriers, of a support for said ribbon, an element for moving said support varying distances, and means operated by said lever for operating said element, substantially as specified.

6. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, a pivoted support holding said ribbon, and a rock shaft, of means for rocking said shaft, and a revoluble actuator controlled by said shaft for actuating said ribbon support to move the ribbon varying distances at successive operations of said shaft, substantially as specified.

7. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, a movable support holding said ribbon and a rock shaft, of means for rocking said shaft, a revoluble actuator, and means controlled by said shaft for operating said actuator to move the ribbon varying distances at successive operations of said shaft, substantially as specified.

8. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, and a movable support for said ribbon, of a revoluble actuator for said support, a shaft, means for rocking said shaft, and means actuated by said shaft for moving said actuator as an incident to the operation of said recording mechanism, substantially as specified.

9. In a recording machine, the combination with recording mechanism, a ribbon, a movable guide for said ribbon, and a support for said movable guide, of an actuator for said support, a series of projections of different lengths on said actuator, and means for operating said actuator as an incident to the operation of said recording mechanism, substantially as specified.

10. In a recording machine, a ribbon support, a plate, a support on which said plate is revolubly mounted, projections of different lengths 011 said plate, and means for operating said plate to move said ribbon support, substantialy as specified.

11. In a recording machine, a ribbon guide, a support for said ribbon guide, a plate, a support on which said plate is'revolubly mounted, an element on said ribbon guide engaging said plate, means for operating said plate to move said ribbon guide, and means whereby said plate will move said ribbon guide varying distances at successive operations, substantially as specified.

12. In a recording machine, a ribbonsupport, a plate, an element on said ribbon support engaging with said plate, projections of different lengths on said plate, a rock shaft, means for rocking said shaft, and a connection operated by said rock shaft for moving said plate and said ribbon support, substantially as specified.

13. In a recording machine, a ribbon support, a plate, a support on which said plate is revolubly mounted, an operative connection between said ribbon support and said plate whereby said plate will operate said ribbon support, a rock shaft, means for rocking said shaft, a connect-ion from said rock shaft to said plate, and means whereby said connection will rotate said plate in one direction only, substantially as specified.

14. In a recording machine, a ribbon support, an eccentric actuator for said support, a rock shaft, means for rocking said shaft, and ,an element operated by said rock shaft for rotating said plate in one direction only at successive operations of said rock shaft, substantially as specified.

15. In a recording machine, a ribbon sup port. a rock shaft, means for rocking said shaft, a revoluble actuator for said ribbon support, and means controlled by said shaft for rotating said actuator, substantially as specified.

16. In a recording machine, a ribbon support, a plate, an operative connection between said ribbon support and said plate, pins on the side of said plate, an operating member arranged to engage said pins to rotate said plate in one direction, a shaft, a connection between said shaft and said operating member, and means for rocking said shaft to actuate said member, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature to this specification this 17th day of February, 1909, in the presence of two witnesses.

- BYR( )N E. BROWN.

lVitnesses:

LILLI'AN VVRIGHI, l'tovn V. liowni'.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

